President Obama celebrated Cinco de Mayo early last week when he entertained supporters of the DREAM Act at the White House.

He told them he is committed to passing legislation that will give the children of undocumented immigrants the chance to get on with their lives here. Obama also reiterated that comprehensive immigration reform would be a priority in a second term.

"I want to sign the DREAM Act into law," he said. "I've got the pens all ready, and I'm willing to work with anybody who is serious."

Obama is counting on Hispanic voters. He won about two-thirds of their votes in 2008 and some polls suggest he could do better this time, despite their disappointment over his failure to get reforms through Congress.

"Right now, there are more than 50 million Americans of Latino descent -- one sixth of our population," he said. "You're our neighbors, our coworkers, our family, our friends. You're starting businesses. You're teaching in classrooms. You're defending this country.  You're driving America forward.

"And for our part, we know that securing our future depends on making sure that all Americans have the opportunity to reach their potential."

Obama's opponent, Republican Mitt Romney, is counting on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to come up with a watered-down version of the DREAM Act that will be acceptable to their party and perhaps even some Tea Party members. So far, Rubio is meeting resistance across the political spectrum.

Mexican-Americans make up one of the fastest-growing voting blocs, and most of them are registered Democrats.

"America is and always will be a nation of immigrants," Obama said in concluding his Cinco de Mayo remarks. "We are richer because of the men and women and children who have come to our shores and joined our union."

The U.S. State Department is allowing entrants to the 2013 Diversity Visa green card lottery to begin checking their status online.

The entrant status check is open from May 1, 2012 until Sept. 30, 2013. Those who have entered the lottery are reminded to keep their confirmation numbers, since the government might select more DV 2013 applicants beginning on Oct. 1.

The State Department does not notify successful lottery entrants. Check the official government website to find out your status. The DV-2013 registration period was from Oct. 4, 2011 until Nov. 5, 2011.

The State Department is warning entrants about a "notable increase and reporting" of fraudulent emails and letters. Beware of scammers who try to solicit fees for services. Be sure you're dealing only with the U.S. government.

It's important for entrants to check their status carefully and keep their confirmation information because the diversity visa lottery has had its share of mistakes and glitches in the past. Keep checking until you're sure your result is correct and final.

The idea behind this green card lottery is to give foreigners who don't have family or prospective employers in the United States a chance to come here and help the country become more ethnically diverse. Entrants for DV-2013 and future lotteries should check with the government and follow its recommendations.

The odds of success are remote. The government received more than 19 million applicants in 2011 for the 50,000 spots. Congress began the diversity visa program in 1995 when it authorized the idea of randomly giving away 50,000 green cards each year.

It's early, but 2012 is well on its way to being a landmark year for U.S. immigration trends.

Consider that the Department of Homeland Security recently released a study that found the number of illegal immigrants living in the United States is holding steady at 11.5 million, after years of steep increases. In fact, using census data, the study found that the illegal immigrant population in Florida has actually decreased over the last two years.

Meanwhile, the Pew Hispanic Center released a study of its own. Pew researchers found a historic reversal along the U.S.-Mexico border. The number of Mexican migrants coming into the United States is now smaller than the number of those leaving the U.S. and returning to Mexico.

Researchers point to the U.S. recession and better economic conditions in Mexico for the change. Many of the job opportunities for immigrants have dried up in the U.S. during the last four years.

More aggressive law enforcement is another reason for shifting trends. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been targeting immigrants with serious criminal records this year, gang members in particular. In April, ICE announced the arrests of 637 gang members and associates involved in drug and human trafficking.

A British parliamentary committee looking into the phone hacking scandal at Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is expected to issue a report this week. And the 81-year-old publishing magnate and his son James Murdoch could be in for more problems.

The investigation already has resulted in 20 arrests of News Corp. employees and the closure of the 168-year-old News of the World newspaper. Meanwhile, in the United States, the FBI is looking into hacking allegations against some of Murdoch's holdings here.

Immigrants become U.S. citizens for all sorts of reasons. For, Rupert Murdoch, it was ambition.

In 1985, he wanted to expand his publishing empire into the United States and get into the broadcasting business. But U.S. law and the Federal Communications Commission prohibit foreigners from holding majority stakes in networks.

So, Murdoch took the oath and became a U.S. citizen. The rise of the Fox News Network began as he put his hand down.

Asked why he became an American, the Australia-born Murdoch said, "Because I wanted to."